Smith reigns supreme in Hua Hin

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Jomtien Golf with the IPGC

Monday, May 11, Majestic Creek – Stableford

This was our 19th annual visit here to Hua Hin for a four-round tournament spread over the week.  The cut for the eight groups was  set at 0-16 and 17+ in the two divisions all week.  We started off at Majestic Creek one of our regulars for all the years we have been coming here and we chose the white tees at 6300 rather than blues at 6800. 

The best score returned was 41 points in division 2 from Alan Bissell while Mark Armstrong took second place on 37.  John Walsh completed the division 2 podium in third place with 36 points, beating Peter Haddon on count back.

(Left-right) Jon Poole, Chris Smith, Colin James and Terry Madsen.(Left-right) Jon Poole, Chris Smith, Colin James and Terry Madsen.

In division 1, Kevin Blake came out on top with 38 points and Terry Madsen beat Jon Poole on count back for second place, both tied on 37 points after 18 holes.

Near pins went to (Div 1) Chuck Anderson, Kevin Blake, Martin Grimoldby and Dave Horne, and (Div 2) Mark Armstrong, Russell Gilroy, David taylor and John Walsh.

Kevin Blake birdied the 12th and Martin Grimoldby the 17th to share the ‘2’s pot in division 1 while Bob Poole (4th) and John Walsh (17th) did likewise in the second division.

Tuesday, May 12, Sea Pines – Stableford

Another hot day here but playing on the coast there was a cooling breeze throughout the round and we played off the white tees at 6350 yards.

Playing off his 1 handicap, Chris Smith took the honours in the top flight with 38 points to finish one ahead of Grant Cadell is second while Jon Poole claimed third with an even par 36.

Colin James returned the best score in division 2 (37 points) and Mark Armstrong pipped Russell Gilroy for second spot on count back after they both scored 30 points in regulation.

Near were claimed by (Div 1) Grant Cadell, Bob Green, Jon Poole and Wichai Tananusorn, and (Div 2) Barry Ochitwa.

Chuck Anderson birdied the 8th, Grant Cadell the 17th and and Bob Green the 13th to split the 2’s pot in division 1  and there were none in the second flight.

Thursday, May 14, Banyan Tree – Stableford

When we arrive here today we were told by the management that they had moved 7 white tees back to the blues and this gave us a 6500 yard comp distance, which pleased everybody.  The course was in fantastic condition with some wicked pin placements.

There were some good scores coming in, with Dave Edwards, playing off 12, winning division 1 with 44 points.  Bob Green took second place on 38 and John Pegram was third with 37.

In division 2, Peter Haddon’s 40 points was enough to take the win while Russell Gilroy placed second on 36 and Bob Poole took third with 33.

Near pins went to (Div 1) Grant Cadell, Chris Smith, Pete Sumner and Chris Voller, and (Div 2) Colin James (2), Bob Poole and Terry Redding.

There are four ‘2’s in division 1 from Dave Edwards on the 15th and 17th, Chris Smith on the 17th and Pete Sumner on the 15th.

Mark Armstrong birdied the 17th for the only ‘2’ in division 2 and took the rollover prize, which made him very happy.

Friday, May 15, Black Mountain – Stableford

This was our final round and we played off the 65 markers today and saw the lowest scores of the week.  There were quite a few disappointed players today as all of the 18 greens were 50% cored and there was some construction work on a few fairways as well with no GUR markers at all.

Pete Sumner has his best round to win division 1 with 38 points and Terry Madsen came in second three points behind.  Chuck Anderson completed the podium after he beat Chris Smith on count back, both locked on 34 points.

Colin James’s 36 points was the high mark in division  2 and he finished a full five points ahead of John Walsh in second

Near pins went to (Div 1) Alan Bissell, Kevin Blake, Grant Cadell and Chris Smith, and (Div 2) Marty Aronson, Roger DeJongh, Russell Gilroy and John Walsh.

Alan Bissell birdied the 4th, Martin Grimoldby the 3rd and 8th and Terry Madsen the 8th to all record ‘2’s in division 1 and John Walsh was again the only man to get a ‘2’ in the second flight.

A brilliant week was had by all and the weather was perfect with no rain, probably our first week ever with no rain over the four rounds.

In the end the overall winner was Chris Smith with 139 points ahead of Colin James in second on 137 and Jon Poole took third, beating Terry Madsen 64/62 on all four back-nines after they both finished with 134.  Bob Green was the last man on the podium, in fifth spot with 133 points.